Compression Sleeves - Compression Wraps & Gloves

Compression therapy is a time-honored healing technique that requires applying controlled pressure on your limbs and other body areas to promote the healing of many injuries and ailments. Although it focuses on the legs, compression therapy applies to other limbs using compression gloves, compression sleeves, and compression wraps. Also, you can supply the appropriate pressure with compression socks, boots, stockings, or bandages.

Compression products like the Endurance Support System (ESS) Compression Sleeves and the Game Ready Outer Replacement Straight Knee Sleeve are popular in the sports and medical fields. They increase blood flow by manipulating your veins and arteries so that your blood flows in the right direction. In other words, compression sleeves increase blood pressure in a specified area of your body and boost venous return.

Venous return refers to blood flow from the outer extremities of your body to your heart, which tremendously influences cardiac output. Along with increasing venous return, runners use compression sleeves to reduce the vibrating muscular response when their feet strike the ground. Also, the increased blood reduces inflammation, flushes out lactic acid, increases blood oxygenation, and prevents pooling blood.

Compression therapy products can benefit any physical condition or disease requiring increased blood flow. However, it is effective for chronic venous or lymphatic disorders like edema, blood clots, varicose veins, and lower extremity pain. In addition, compression products like RockFloss Compression Wraps & Elastic Band Wraps benefit any leg swelling condition that involves a build-up of excess fluid.

If you feel dizzy, nauseous, or lightheaded when standing up, you may have orthostatic hypotension (a sudden drop in your blood pressure). After diagnosing the condition, your doctor may suggest waist-high compression stockings or other compression products. In addition, compression therapy is a very potent treatment for leg ulcers from diabetes, kidney failure, and heart disease.

Fingerless and full-finger compression gloves provide moderate compression to relieve pain from arthritis or hand injury. Your choice between the finger options depends on your individual needs. For example, you may choose fingerless or half-finger compression gloves if you engage in daily activities that require maximum manual dexterity and a full range of finger motion. On the other hand, you may have pain or injury near the tips of your fingers. In this case, a product like the Norco Full Finger Edema Gloves may suit your needs.

Wearing compression sleeves that properly fit won’t cause increased swelling. But wearing ill-fitting sleeves can lead to skin breakage and infection problems. You can avoid these problems by reading the instructions for all orthopedic supplies and following your doctor’s advice.

Provided you have the correct size and fit, it is okay to wear your compression sleeve for up to 12 hours, especially when exercising or working. Compression sleeves perform best when you are active. When you do, these orthopedic garments deliver the right amount of pressure to allow you to move more freely during the day.

Proper compression glove fit is vital to getting the right amount of compression and pain relief from edema or arthritis. For an accurate glove size, measure your palm circumference at its thickest part. For example, ScripHessco offers Isotoner Gentle Compression Gloves in small (5 ½” to 6 ½” ), medium (6 ½” to 7 ½“), large (7 ½” to 8 ½ “), and extra small (4 ½“ to 5 ½”).

Unless your doctor gives you special instructions to do so, you should not sleep in compression garments. Compression products like the Cramer® Groin Hip Spica Support for Groin Strains have compression levels designed for daytime movement. For this reason, compression wraps and supports are ineffective at night. Plus, the unchallenged pressure on your limbs could cut off your circulation.